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Blair Wants U.N. Presence in Afghanistan
Wednesday, November 14, 2001
(22:46)
By CBC News Online staff

The anti-Taliban forces have more than 8,000 troops in and around Kabul, acting as a police force and setting up defences.

UNITED NATIONS -- CBS
British Prime Minister Tony Blair called for a United Nations presence in Afghanistan "as soon as possible." And Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley indicated Canada is ready to play a peacekeeping role.

Manley, speaking in New York, said Canada "will try to be responsive to requests to provide peacekeeping capability, particularly as part of the coalition."

Earlier Tuesday, the Northern Alliance said it wants to start discussing a new government with all Afghan groups -- except the Taliban.

"We would invite all Afghan groups to come to Kabul to start negotiations," Northern Alliance Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said in the newly captured capital. "Taliban excluded of course."
(More: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC.com) News Source)
2001 © CBS News Online.

Dan